Residents come back to what's left in Lamoine

Cassandra Bedford and Steve Pinzak have been friends and neighbors for 50 years, and both live off of Little Slate Creek and Slate Creek Roads.

When the Delta Fire broke out they evacuated the Lamoine area in Lakehead.

"I was going to go back and grab another load of shoes. I came out and I saw the fire just roaring over the ridge over there, I mean it was terrifying," said Bedford.

"Pretty quick the white smoke turned into orange flames and that fire had a wind behind it. It just started pushing it. It was going up one ridge and then down the other side and just coming this way and it was totally out of control," said Pinzak.

When evacuations lifted Wednesday, Bedford went to see if her home was still standing after the fire passed through.

"Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe it. When I, because it was still somewhat daylight and when I got up here, I thought 'oh my gosh, how is this still standing?' Because everywhere is burned. Everywhere around my house is burned and to see my umbrella still up and the tents damaged and the wind spinner I...I just could not believe it," said Bedford.

However, Pinzak came back to the area and he wasn't so lucky.

"I have a...or 'had' an RV over there, a trailer, a full trailer and from what I hear, I hadn't been over there to see it yet, but it's all leveled, according to the forest service," said Pinzak.

Although Pinzak and his dog Raylee are safe, he lost most of everything he owns, due his needing to evacuate quickly with just the clothes on his back and a few medical papers.

"You know it's stuff like that...pictures. Especially the pictures of my daughter and stuff from growing up," said Pinzak.

He said he's fortunate he has family, friends, Raylee and the community to lean on during this terrible time.

"You bet, you just adapt...adapt and overcome if you can," said Pinzak.